Bhutan Tour and Trek

Secluded high in the eastern Himalayas with unique customs and people with deeply held beliefs. Bhutan is a land of dzongs and monasteries; monks, majestic mountains and a rich heritage; and an architectural style like no other on earth and a land full of warm-hearted, friendly people who go to unusual lengths to preserve each element of Bhutanese life. Today as a visitor picks up a telephone to call home or travels over a wide network of roads, it may be difficult to imagine that as recently as the 1960's telecommunication was non-existent in Bhutan and travel within the kingdom could only be made by horseback or on foot...there were no roads.

Beyond building a telecommunication network and roads, Bhutan has been integrating the process of modernization with the rich heritage of its past. Bhutanese, go to unusual lengths to preserve each element of their life; from environment to dress to language to religion Bhutanese have managed to keep their centuries-old culture and traditions alive. Besides learning as much as from the past, Bhutanese.

The official estimate of Bhutan's population in 1990 was about 600,000 but other sources estimate the population for 2000 was just under 2 million. Those living in Bhutan of Nepali origin have been excluded from the official census since 1990 which results in such a large discrepancy in population numbers.

Bhutan has four major ethic groups: Bhutia, Sharchops, Nepali, and other indigenous groups. The Bhutia, who are descended from Tibetans, live in the central and northern regions of Bhutan. This ethnic group basically dominates politics in Bhutan particularly with it's contribution of government officials and monks that come from it. Believed to be Bhutan's earliest settlers, the Sharchops live in the southeastern and eastern region. They speak both Tibeto-Burman languages as well as Hindi.

The Nepali people are the latest immigrants to Bhutan. Living in the southwestern and south central section of Bhutan, immigration of Nepali's has been forbidden by the Bhutanese government since 1959. Fear of Bhutan becoming too heavily populated with Nepalese brought about this and the ban on living in the central Himalayan region. Bhutan traditions and culture are to be retained and not dilute Bhutanese distinctiveness. There are small groups of ethnic minorities that live all throughout Bhutan with the largest group living in the Duars. This group is related to those groups living in India's Assam and Bangla states.

Bhutan is a heavenly abode in the heart of the vast Himalaya. But it is little known to the outside world just being wedged between giant neighbors and secluded by some of the highest mountain ranges. Bhutan-the last paradise on the earth reflects age-old religion, culture, arts & architecture in its golden peaks in the background of deep green valley and hillside.

Outline Itinerary
Day 1	Fly from Kathmandu to Paro. The green wall of hills known as do oars, or gateways into Bhutan from the plains climbs continuously higher as the plane flies north towards the Tibet border. Silver rivers thread the valleys, waterfalls plunge down the forested mountainsides and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up into the sky. As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, look down and you will see the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro Chu (river) with Ta Dzong, watch tower, now the national museum, above it. Your escort from Eagle Tours, who accompany you throughout the trip, will be waiting for you at the airport. After completion of airport formalities, you will drive through fascinating valley of Paro to the hotel. In the evening you visit Paro market and take a stroll around town’s main street. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 2	Sight seeing in and around Paro. This day is for sightseeing in the Paro Valley. After breakfast drive to the Drugyel Dzong or the Fortress of Victory from where the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The Dzong though in ruins holds great historical importance to the Bhutanese. From there, in fine weather, one can view the majestic Mt. Jhumolhari standing at an altitude of 7329m above the sea. Other places of interest include the National Museum, Paro Rinpong Dzong and the local market. You stay overnight in Hotel.
Day 3	Drive from Paro to Thimpu. Drive to the capital of the country after breakfast. Enroute you will be able to see the Tachogang Monastery. In Thimphu, visit the National memorial Chorten built in the loving memory of the Late King, His Majesty, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Also visit the National Library, Painting School (week days) and the Changangkha Lhakhang. In the evening drive to the Sangay gang viewpoint to see the Thimphu valley in the evening sun. Your guide will be able to take you shopping if you so desire. You stay overnight in Hotel.
Day 4	Drive from Thimphu to Gangtey. After breakfast drive towards Punakha and the Wangdi valley through the Dochula pass (3050m) from where you can see the majestic Himalayan Mountains on a clear weather. You take your lunch en route. You stay overnight in Hotel.
Day 5	Trek from Gangtey to Gogona which takes about six hours. Begin the trek with the pack ponies and the trekking staff. The trail winds through the meadows and fields. The gentle climb takes you through mixed forests of jumiper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendron. You will be crossing the Tselela Pass.
Day 6	Trek from Gogona to Khotokha and it takes about seven hours. A gentle climb leads to the Shobjula Pass (3390m). The descent from the pass leads to a wide valley surrounded by beautiful mountains.
Day 7	Trek from Khotokha to Punakha via Chuzomsa which takes about five hours. A short ascent will bring you to the Tashila pass - 2780m. Then the descent is through an ever changing landscape into the drainage of the Dangchhu Stream. Your transportation will be waiting for you at the motorable road in Chhuzomsa. Transfer to Punakha. You stay overnight in Hotel.
Day 8	Sight seeing in and around Punakha. After breakfast drive to the Punakha. Visit Punakha Dzong. In the afternoon you hike to Khamsum yule chorten. This evening you are at your leisure. You stay overnight in Hotel in Punakha.
Day 9	Drive from Punkha to Thimphu. Morning visit Chimmy Lhakhang. You take your lunch at Dochula. In the evening, you stroll around Thimphu town. You stay overnight in Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 10	Drive from Thimphu to Paro. In the morning you drive to Paro. You go for sightseeing in Paro. In the afternoon you hike to Taktsang. You stay overnight in Hotel in Paro.
Day 11	Fly out from Paro to Kathmandu.
Services Included A guide, all meals three times a day, lodging in standard hotels, ground transportation within Bhutan, pack animal in trekking, entry fees into monuments.
Services Excluded Personal expenses, Travel Insurance, Airport Tax, travel insurance, flight charges from Kathmandu to Paro or from Paro to Kathmandu, Bhutan visa fee whish is US$20 per person. (Please note that no foreign office abroad grants a Bhutanese Visa, It has to be obtained through the registered travel/trekking agencies in Nepal.
Flight Schedule: The flight from Kathmandu to Paro leaves on every Monday, Thursday and Saturday and flight from from Paro to Kathmandu leaves on every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

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